Is Google pressuring manufacturers to launch with the newest Android?

0.phoneArena
10 Feb 2014, 17:51posted on

Ever since Sundar Pichai took over as head of Android, Google has been exerting more and more control over the ecosystem. It started with the Google Experience device roster, and moved on to rumors that Google has made deals with Samsung to provide a more Googley experience in TouchWiz. Now, there is a rumor that Google is pressuring manufacturers to launch devices with the newest version of Android...

of course it's good. Because we know many budget phones release with old version of android. It's great, that people can enjoy latest version of android who can't afford high end phones.
Google keep it up and make people Happy.

Perhaps you should reread the article. It's not saying you'll be forced to update your device. You can keep whatever version you're running for as long as you want. There just won't be any new devices sporting those older versions after a certain date.

Isn't that the manufactures choice? I'm pretty sure if the manufactures wanted, they could keep updating older devices. Google can't force a manufactures to stop updating devices. That's all on the manufacturers.

The 18-month policy is a minimum, not a maximum. Manufacturers can update their devices as long as they want. I don't understand why people find that so hard to understand. There are many Android devices that have seen support for longer than 18 months.

A very nice move by google to exert latest version of android on any kind of device. Making any android phones' experience more similiar to how google intends it to be will give customer easier transition should they change brand from samsung to htc or lg for example

That's horrible. You think the manufacturer's WANT to release older versions for fun just to make Google look bad? The only reason a manufacturers release outdated versions is because Google doesn't make a big enough effort to give manufacturers enough time to include a newer version.

Each manufacturer has a set deadline and in order to reach that deadline they have to start designing the phone. And if Android 5.0 isn't out yet and Google doesn't tell you that it's coming soon then you have to start the phone at 4.4 or you'll miss your deadline.

If Google wants this to get better they need to give full disclosure and full access to the OS when it is in development still. Or simply stick to an exact release date and only one update a year like Apple does. If you release 4.1 AND 4.2 less than 6 months apart then you better flicking believe that manufacturers won't be able to keep up.

Either reserve the updates strictly to the nexus phones at once a year and let the nexus 7 and nexus 10 use an older OS or expect the manufacturers to be behind at all times.

24.AppleHateBoy (unregistered)

You are missing the point. Google is not asking you to start working on the next version the moment it's released. LG and Chinese OEMs skipped Android 4.3 for a reason. They know they don't have enough time to support all versions so they support alternate versions.

If you look closely at the table, LG and Chinese OEMs can still release devices with 4.2. By the time the deadline of 4.2 goes by their 4.4 ROM would be ready to roll. Then they can skip Android API level 20 (if it's released too soon) and go straight for Android API Level 21.

agree, this force the manufacturer to update there new flagship phone. think about it, the galaxy s3 is now running 4.4. before the old flagship phone would be done with updates after the new flagship phone came out. i think google is doing the right move.

Best new Android, iPhone and Windows Phone apps

All content (phone reviews, news, specs, info), design and layouts are Copyright 2001-2015 phoneArena.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or in any form or medium without written permission is prohibited! Privacy . Terms of use . Cookies . Team